The proposal to build the Kinabalu cable car project in Kundasang will be evaluated carefully and comprehensively, said Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Arifin.
He said the assessment would be guided by the principle of conservation first as the primary basis of consideration.
Jafry said this after receiving a courtesy call from a delegation of Jesselton International Sdn Bhd, led by its executive chairman Tan Sri David Chu, at his office.
He said Mount Kinabalu is not merely a tourism asset, but a global treasure as a UNESCO World Heritage Site with exceptionally high biodiversity value and ecological significance.
International experience shows that cable car facilities have been developed in World Heritage Sites, such as the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway in the Wet Tropics of Queensland, Australia, and the Teleférico del Teide in Teide National Park, Spain.
He also cited the Tianzi Mountain Cableway in the Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan Scenic Area, China, noting that such projects were implemented under strict controls, guided by science and clear conservation principles.
In this regard, Jafry said Sabah does not reject development, but sets firm parameters to ensure all projects are balanced, well regulated and do not compromise the integrity of the ecosystem or the state’s natural heritage.
“Any decision will be made with due care, based on data, scientific evidence, and engagement with all stakeholders, including local communities.
“Our commitment is clear: to ensure a balance between economic development and environmental conservation, in line with Sabah’s aspiration to be a high-impact and sustainable tourism destination,” he said.
